Canadian Forces have completed their last battlefield offensive in Afghanistan, a two-week sweep across rural southern Kandahar province in a show of force in territory controlled openly by the Taliban only a year ago.
The clearing operation in Panjwai district was planned and led by an Afghan brigade, with Canadian and American troops playing a supporting role. That was a milestone for the Afghans, according to Major Daniel Leblanc of Task Force Kandahar, and one that demonstrated progress in professionalizing the Afghan security forces.
The Afghan brigade of about 1,500 soldiers "crossed a hurdle on this one and planned it from start to finish," he said. There were no combat related casualties in the operation.
Canadian combat troops from the Royal 22e Regiment are set to withdraw from the country next month. But between now and then, they will continue to patrol the still-dangerous and volatile areas west and south of the provincial capital of Kandahar City. So Canada's war in Afghanistan will not be over until the last soldier leaves, said Lt.-Col. Michel-Henri St-Louis, the battle group commander.